Minutes
WESTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on Monday 7th April 2025 at Weston Village Hall
Commenced at 7.30pm
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and informed those present that the meeting was being recorded and asked that everyone refrain from using their mobile phones.
Present:- Cllrs, Dicks (Chair), Bellamy, Brotherton, Halgarth, Mews, Pennington, Redman, Clerk/RFO.
In Attendance:- Cty Cllr Gibson, Dist Cllr Woolf and five members of the public.
25.051 Apologies:- Cllrs Casson, Mather.
Absent:- None
25.052 Declaration of interest in accordance with Localism Act 2011
None
25.053 Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 3rd March 2025
Minutes of the meeting having been circulated were taken as read by the Chair and signed as a true record. Proposed PM, seconded AB, unanimous vote in favour by those who were present at that meeting.
25.054 Co-option of new Parish Councillor
Following the resignation of Cllr Ellis the Parish Council looked to co-opt its next councillor for the Weston Hills ward. A resident of the parish Loraine Walker asked to be considered for the position. After being interviewed a vote was taken and she was invited to join the council. She duly signed her declaration of acceptance and then took her place on the Parish Council. Proposed HR, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour.
25.055 Public Forum
A resident updated those present on the renewable energy projects in the district. Cty Cllr Gibson and Dist. Cllr Woolf also spoke on the subject. Cty Cllr Gibson gave an update on road improvements in the parish.
25.056 Matters Arising
Cllr Brotherton gave an update on planning application H22-0077-25 with the Clerk informing the meeting that the Parish Councils objections to the application were now on the SHDC website. The chairman suspended standing orders to allow a representative of the developers to speak and answer questions on the development. Cllr Halgath voiced his concern that at the previous meeting the chairman had implied the application was fraudulent. The chairman apologised if he had offended anyone, it was not directed at the Halgarth family he said but was made because the developer had said they had contacted the parish council when there was no record of anything being received. The Chairman then reinstated standing orders.
25.057 Correspondence
email from LALC requesting the council to complete its survey on Clerks salary, recruitment and retention
email from LCC on its proposed “Public Rights of Way Improvement plan”. It was agreed that councillors should consider the plan with a deadline for submission in June.
email request from South Lincs Swifts to play matches on Weston football pitch. After discussion it was unanimously decided with a show of hands to decline the request on the grounds that an increase in games would be detrimental to the condition of the pitch.
email from Weston Village Hall in response to an email to the Parish Council voicing its concerns about lighting, heating and the provision of chairs and tables. After discussing the matter it was agreed that Cllr Pennington as a member of the WVH committee would speak to the village hall and report back to the Parish Council on the issues raised by the council.
25.058 Highways/SID/CSW
Cllr Bellamy updated the meeting on the SID data. During a thirty-five day period 30,845 were recorded on Austendyke Road an average of 881 a day. 29% of vehicles were 10mph over the 40mph speed limit. There has also been a major increase in traffic on the length of Broadgate from Weston to the B1357 Moulton Chapel Road. The CSW is currently suspended due to ill health. Other highway matters discussed included street lighting on the Austendyke Road and the chairman reported he had been in contact with the highways on the continuing problems with Fulney Drove.
25.059 Update-Annual Parish Meeting (AOPM).
The Clerk gave an update on preparations for the APM. Sir John Hayes has sent his apologies and there has been no response to date from the Rev. Sweeting, however County and District councillors have said they will attend as will a representative from the SH Voluntary car scheme. The Chairman confirmed he had arranged the refreshments.
25.060 Beacon Trail to commemorate 80th anniversary of VE Day
Cllr Bellamy will not be available for the event but will liaise with Cllrs Mews, Redman and Walker who have agreed to work together and organise the event. The Clerk will contact the owner of the “Bessi Bean” coffee van who has shown an interest in attending.
25.061 Weston Playing Field
Cllr Bellamy provided an update on the installation of play equipment which if all goes to plan should be in place by the end of April. Phase 2 which includes the zip wire will commence with planning permission in May, installation in June and completion hopefully in July. Following on from that a large climbing facility is under consideration to be located on the skate board park.
The condition of the car park was discussed. Cllr Brotherton is making enquiries about the cost of improvements to the car parking. It was suggested that a small strip might be tarmacked for disabled parking and access.
25.062 Weston Hills Playing Field
Cllr Bellamy reported that apart from waiting for Hollyoaks to install the new bench and waste bin all the UKSPF matters had been completed. A nature trail is under consideration in the wooded area on the western edge of the field. The Clerk reported that the new contractor had cut the grass at both playing fields and St Johns church for the first time.
25.063 Planning Matters
Notification of application for consideration available via SHDC website:-
H22-0083-25, H22-0861-24, H22-1085-24 Approved. H22-0140-25 Rejected.
H22-1092-25 Cllr Bellamy to provide the Clerk with any objections to be forwarded to SHDC.
25.064 Finance Report
The financial report to 31st March 2025 (Please see accompanying report) having been circulated was taken as read and its contents noted. It was resolved to accept the financial report. Proposed BH, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour.
25.065 Items for Discussions
Cllr Bellamy requested that DPI be included on a future agenda.
Cllr Brotherton asked about clarification on email and websites. The Clerk said that the PC has its own email account solely for PC business. The website is the recommended website for PC’s which is .gov.uk. Cllr Brotherton asked that an email be sent to a resident complimenting and thanking him for cleaning signs in the parish.
Cllr Redman reported that she had not been able to make contact with the Wombles litter pick group. She also reported she had received complaints from residents in Wimberley Close and Hutchinson Gardens about parking on the pavements. It was agreed that Cllr Walker with her contacts through KINs with the police would speak to the police on the matter.
Cllr Walker reported that there have been instances of motor bikes riding along the river bank at Weston Marsh. It was agreed that she should report this matter to the Police again through the KIN’s network.
Cllr Mews asked that following the chairman’s recently informing councillors that he was not intending to stand as chair next year if an extraordinary meeting of the council should be called to discuss the matter and the reasons behind his decision. The Chairman said he would call an extraordinary meeting and those present agreed that he should do so.
Cllr Pennington commented on his involvement in the energy projects in the parish. With the knowledge he has on these projects he finds it difficult to adhere to DPI rules and accept that he cannot be involved in discussions.
Cllr Halgarth reported that he had spoken to people at the care home in Broadgate Weston Hills about parking on the road and was pleased to say that they have plans for off road parking at that location.
25.066 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 28th April (APM) 7:30pm at Weston Village Hall.
Monday 12th May (AGM) 7:30pm at Weston Hills Village Hall.
There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9:40pm.
Chairman …………………………………………………